Out of the Blue

I've been getting to hang out with my two canine buddies this week, as I've been looking in on Adler and Sandra while their owner has headed back to the office. This is a very low-effort/high reward scenario. It's too hot to really walk during the day, so we just go out for a pee. Then we go back in and they get treats. But they act like kids encountering Santa when I enter the house, so for my minimal efforts I get lavished with love. Labs are sweet dogs in general, but these two are so full of love it's overwhelming. Checking in on them is definitely one of the easiest favors I've ever been asked to do.

Lovefest Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Breakfast Link

Stories

Science
Thanks Max.

Media
Thanks RedEye9.

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33.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 15, 2022, 07:30
33.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 15, 2022, 07:30
Aug 15, 2022, 07:30
 
It isn't just abortion. It is many (most?) political issues. It breaks up families. However, it isn't just one side arguing 'stop' and the other side arguing 'go'. There is fair sized group who either 1) never cared about politics to begin with (voter participation has been terrible basically always) and 2) those who have given up due to the toxicity. Of course there are reasonable people having reasonable conversations. But who would want to report on that? Need to sell papers/magazines/subscriptions..
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
32.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 15, 2022, 02:59
32.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 15, 2022, 02:59
Aug 15, 2022, 02:59
 
The abortion debacle is USA's number 1 reason to feel ashamed toward the rest of the western world. But not just because of the people that want to strip away abortion rights from women. Also -- or maybe even most of all -- it's how you guys just can't seem to have a normal discussion about it with eachother, at least not on a political or media platform. Is the room just as toxic behind closed doors, with friends or family or colleagues that differ from your opinion?

To the outside world, it almost looks like there are basically two sides: 1.) the people against abortion and 2.) the people that celebrate abortion even if the unborn child is aborted in the third trimester for no good reason.

Again, this is the impression we have from overseas, echoed by some USA podcasts I listen to. Is it true? Is it hardly possible to have a normal debate about this subject, like some others?
31.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 13, 2022, 15:04
31.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 13, 2022, 15:04
Aug 13, 2022, 15:04
 
Crap, This one also rocks.
Make Abbott Go Away maga
"I expect death to be nothingness and by removing from me all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism." Isaac Asimov
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30.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 13, 2022, 10:11
30.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 13, 2022, 10:11
Aug 13, 2022, 10:11
 
Well I can't drink any of those winning Whiskeys except one. I just don't like whiskeys with more than 40% alcohol. My latest favorite whiskeys are all made in Japan. Japan makes some amazingly smooth Whiskeys,
"Turns out I’m 'woke.' All along, I thought I was just compassionate, kind, and good at history. "
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29.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 13, 2022, 07:33
29.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 13, 2022, 07:33
Aug 13, 2022, 07:33
 
Burrito of Peace wrote on Aug 13, 2022, 00:06:
RedEye's links provide good information but one of the things I didn't see mentioned was exhaustion.
Unfortunately this problem is far from limited to Texas...
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
28.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 13, 2022, 00:06
28.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 13, 2022, 00:06
Aug 13, 2022, 00:06
 
Jivaro wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 22:49:
I have a question. I read on a couple different places that Texas has had a voter turnout percentage of 18% before. Even when the numbers are "higher then normal", they are talking about like 40-50%...which is crazy low. We have some natives of Texas, any thoughts as to why it's consistently so low?

RedEye's links provide good information but one of the things I didn't see mentioned was exhaustion.

Let's say you are a liberal burrito (as a good burrito would be) and you vote. And you vote. And you vote. You do this for years but literally nothing changes. Texas continues its giddy march in to becoming Gilead ruled by Y'all-Qaeda.

Meanwhile taxes continue to go up if you own a home, infrastructure continues to fall in to disrepair and, oh yeah, Texas can't keep the fucking power on regardless of what the temperature is outside. But wait, there's more. Now we have a looming water crisis that we aren't going to do a fucking thing about because, well, that might impact the almighty businesses that the GQP get down on their knees to and for nightly. Then there's the straight up fear mongering and blatant bullshit aired every political season that the derp base buys in to hook, line, and sinker.

So most of the time it feels like you're just pissing in to the wind.
"Just take a look around you, what do you see? Pain, suffering, and misery." -Black Sabbath, Killing Yourself to Live.

“Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains” -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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27.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 23:39
27.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 23:39
Aug 12, 2022, 23:39
26.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 22:49
Jivaro
 
26.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 22:49
Aug 12, 2022, 22:49
 Jivaro
 
I have a question. I read on a couple different places that Texas has had a voter turnout percentage of 18% before. Even when the numbers are "higher then normal", they are talking about like 40-50%...which is crazy low. We have some natives of Texas, any thoughts as to why it's consistently so low?
Avatar 55841
25.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 22:43
25.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 22:43
Aug 12, 2022, 22:43
 
1badmf wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 22:21:
interesting. is it cuz people are changing their minds? or more people are getting involved?
It's because people are changing their minds and waking up.
They're sick of a piece of shit who doesn't care about women's health.
Who has done absolutely nothing to improve the Texas power grid.
And recently made it mandatory that every fetus has to carry a military assault rifle.

Real Texans are fed up.
"I expect death to be nothingness and by removing from me all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism." Isaac Asimov
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24.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 22:21
24.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 22:21
Aug 12, 2022, 22:21
 
Acleacius wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 21:17:
Mr. Tact wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:07:
Burrito of Peace wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 14:24:
I am absolutely certain to vote for a governor who calls a dick a motherfucker.
Does he have a chance? I'm guessing if it is a toss up that would be good news...
It's was originally around 15%, after the antiabortion legislation down to 10%, after Uvalde down to 5% and closing. abbott won last race by 20% iirc.

interesting. is it cuz people are changing their minds? or more people are getting involved?
23.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 21:17
23.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 21:17
Aug 12, 2022, 21:17
 
Mr. Tact wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:07:
Burrito of Peace wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 14:24:
I am absolutely certain to vote for a governor who calls a dick a motherfucker.
Does he have a chance? I'm guessing if it is a toss up that would be good news...
It's was originally around 15%, after the antiabortion legislation down to 10%, after Uvalde down to 5% and closing. abbott won last race by 20% iirc.
Scorpio Slasher: ... What about you boy, what do hate?
Marcus: ... Bullies. Tiny d*ck egotists who hurt people for no reason, make people lock their doors at night. People who make general existence worse, people like you.
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22.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 20:00
22.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 20:00
Aug 12, 2022, 20:00
 
jdreyer wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:10:
I don't know, but I know that he'd be better than Abbott.
That's a good bet and you'd be in fine company. A new MAGA: Mothers Against Greg Abbott mobilizes against the incumbent governor seeking a third term
"I expect death to be nothingness and by removing from me all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism." Isaac Asimov
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21.
 
Is freedom what the mind wants?
Aug 12, 2022, 19:38
21.
Is freedom what the mind wants? Aug 12, 2022, 19:38
Aug 12, 2022, 19:38
 

No.
20.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 19:16
20.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 19:16
Aug 12, 2022, 19:16
 
So, was it a merger or did WB buy HBO? Either way it is kinda weird they would do the deal and then turn around and layoff 70% of the HBO production staff. I know corporate America is about nothing but making as much money as possible, but even so sometimes their actions are difficult to understand...
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
19.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 18:32
19.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 18:32
Aug 12, 2022, 18:32
 
HBO Max Originals (Presumably Not Safe)

I've watched some on that not safe list and I won't miss them.
"I expect death to be nothingness and by removing from me all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism." Isaac Asimov
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18.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 17:42
18.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 17:42
Aug 12, 2022, 17:42
 
Did anyone see the HBO-Warner-Discovery merger? Sounds like a lot of current HBO shows will be canceled. Also, HBO has been king of quality for a few decades now, I suspect that will change. Seems like the end of an era that brought is The Wire, Deadwood, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, and many others.

HBO Originals (Presumably Safe)

Succession
House of the Dragon (upcoming)
The Last of Us (upcoming)
Euphoria
True Detective
Barry
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Righteous Gemstones
Westworld
The White Lotus
The Nevers
Industry
The Gilded Age

HBO Max Originals (Presumably Not Safe)

Our Flag Means Death
Gossip Girl
Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
Hacks
Warrior
Titans
Doom Patrol
Harley Quinn
Peacemaker (but James Gunn has said season 2 is safe)
The Penguin Batman Spin-Off (upcoming)
Arkham Batman Spin-Off (upcoming)
Minx
Rap Sh!t
Tokyo Vice
Fboy Island
And Just Like That
The Sex Lives of College Girls
The Flight Attendant
If Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends. Slava Ukraini!
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17.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 17:33
17.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 17:33
Aug 12, 2022, 17:33
 
Burrito of Peace wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:13:
Mr. Tact wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:07:
Does he have a chance? I'm guessing if it is a toss up that would be good news...

Maybe but it is honestly a slim one. The derp runs deep in Texas and Beto has to appeal to more than the urban population to win. Unfortunately, the rural areas of Texas (which are the majority) are the derpiest of all. Going after guns in any capacity pretty much means he won't sway those folks to vote for him.
Sounds about like what I expected. But hey, odd things happen sometimes.. here is to hoping.
“Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception.” -- Carl Sagan
16.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 17:28
16.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 17:28
Aug 12, 2022, 17:28
 
Burrito of Peace wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:23:
jdreyer wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:12:
Labs are a bit too big for my taste, but every Lab I've ever met has been a lovely chill pet. It's hard to do better.

You probably don't have the space for a larger dog given where you live, though I wouldn't call Labs "big", so that makes sense. My opinion is that a dog should be able to keep up with me in all environments and in all weather. For me, that rules out almost all small dogs and all "toy" breeds.On top of that, the original purpose of my current pup was as a protector and alert dog for Mrs. Burrito (since besides being in a wheelchair, Mrs. Burrito was also going deaf). So the dog had to be able to deter a full grown man, at minimum, if necessary. That and I think dogs should have jobs as well as being a member of the family. A medium sized dog, which are what Labs are, can fill those roles well, too.

It's all preference and no one preference is better or worse than another.

jdreyer wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:10:
Would Beto make a good governor? I don't know, but I know that he'd be better than Abbott.

We've had "Good Hair" Perry and Abbot. At this point, I think the kid behind the counter at the local 7-11 would be better than anyone the GOP would put forth.
I grew up with 35-40 pound Aussies. That's the size dog I'll get when I move out of this apartment. Probably an Aussie or a Border Collie.
If Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends. Slava Ukraini!
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15.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 17:25
15.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 17:25
Aug 12, 2022, 17:25
 
Is freedom what the mind wants?

This topic is much too deep to be covered in the 1000 words or so of the article.

There was a case where a woman got short term memory loss. Her daughter stayed in her hospital room. Every 60 seconds or so she "saw" her daughter for the first time, and said the exact same thing to her every time. Many things in our brain hardwired limiting freedom. Sam Harris has an entire book arguing free will doesn't exist, as suggested by my anecdote. Recently I bought a bunch of computer parts. Did I use "free will" in choosing the parts? Or was the selection hardwired by my genetic and learned preferences: I was going to choose those parts regardless, because I had specific criteria in mind (cost, quietness, performance, etc.) and those were the best fit? Right at the end, someone changed my mind and I got a 12 core proc instead of the 8 core. Free will?

Lastly, this is annoying:
The theme has been revisited countless times, for example in the 1999 blockbuster The Matrix. In the 24 centuries separating Plato from Keanu Reeves, we witnessed the advent of modern science.
The modern analog to Plato should be the Wachowskis, not Reeves. The Wachowskis think deeply on reality, freedom, and our perception of these concepts.
If Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends. Slava Ukraini!
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14.
 
Re: OotB: Labtastic
Aug 12, 2022, 17:23
14.
Re: OotB: Labtastic Aug 12, 2022, 17:23
Aug 12, 2022, 17:23
 
jdreyer wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:12:
Labs are a bit too big for my taste, but every Lab I've ever met has been a lovely chill pet. It's hard to do better.

You probably don't have the space for a larger dog given where you live, though I wouldn't call Labs "big", so that makes sense. My opinion is that a dog should be able to keep up with me in all environments and in all weather. For me, that rules out almost all small dogs and all "toy" breeds.On top of that, the original purpose of my current pup was as a protector and alert dog for Mrs. Burrito (since besides being in a wheelchair, Mrs. Burrito was also going deaf). So the dog had to be able to deter a full grown man, at minimum, if necessary. That and I think dogs should have jobs as well as being a member of the family. A medium sized dog, which are what Labs are, can fill those roles well, too.

It's all preference and no one preference is better or worse than another.

jdreyer wrote on Aug 12, 2022, 17:10:
Would Beto make a good governor? I don't know, but I know that he'd be better than Abbott.

We've had "Good Hair" Perry and Abbot. At this point, I think the kid behind the counter at the local 7-11 would be better than anyone the GOP would put forth.
"Just take a look around you, what do you see? Pain, suffering, and misery." -Black Sabbath, Killing Yourself to Live.

“Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains” -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Avatar 21247
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